Bella
The plane touched down in Mexico and we joined Jarrod, the guard who had been watching Maria's compound for us.
"Bella, before we go in, give everyone a shield like you did for Felix back at the castle," Demetri ordered.
It took concentration and a lot of time to get a close-fitting shield on everyone. Alec, you freeze them, we'll take out all but Maria and talk to her before we kill her. Alec?
The dark fog spun out from Alec's hands. He managed to cover the compound. They all descended and Alec pulled back control of roughly ten newborns at a time. They destroyed the newborns a few at a time, Felix was laughing as he took more than his share. I had to focus on the newborns, ripping them apart one at a time. It seemed to take me longer than everyone else but I did my best to handle my share.
There was only a curvy brunette left when all the newborns were destroyed. This must be Maria. Demetri gave Alec a hand signal and the dark smoke stopped and dissipated.
"Maria you have been sentenced to death for going further and further over your newborn quota."
"The Mexican woman lunged at Demetri and Demetri was ready to meet her but I shot my hand out and put her in a shield.
"Don't touch my mate Bitch." I said coldly and collapsed the bubble. She turned to dust. I blinked and felt like I came back to myself. The cold rage that had been possessing me faded and I was left standing there with shock filling me at my actions. Demetri started clapping and the others followed suit.
I ghosted to Demetri and ran my hands over his body. "Are you ok? Are you hurt? Did any of them touch you?" I asked trying to feel through my own shield. I took back his shield and ran my hands quickly over him again.
"I'm fine, my mate. Your shield protected me and even if it hadn't none of them got close. Now we need to burn the parts. Help the others gather the pieces. He kissed me hard and fast and swatted my behind when I went to collect the pieces.
When that chore was complete, Demetri brought out a zippo lighter and struck it, throwing it on the pile. The incense smell was thick and cloying and I backed away from the flames. I removed each of their shields while the gruesome pile burned down. Demetri went and caught all the buildings on fire and I watched him closely.
When it was all done we got ready and left what had been the compound.
We traveled fifty miles south to Raoul's compound.
The sun was setting as we arrived. We approached from the front. We stopped and addressed the guard at the front gate.
"Fetch Raoul," Demetri ordered.
The guard stayed still and passed the order to one of the other guards.
It was a strange sight. The compound was busy with newborns and older vampires in various activities. I was grateful that I hadn't been changed in such a situation.
A man with an odd pallor approached the front gate.
"Raoul," Demetri addressed the man.
"Demetri, how can I help you."
"I'm here to tell you that you're in charge of the southern covens now. Victoria is no more. Don't make her mistake and go over your quota of newborns."
The man reached out a hand and Demetri took it. That seemed to be everything. We turned and ghosted away. We reached the plane again in two and a half hours. Before we took off Demetri pulled me to the side.
"Do you need to feed before we go back?"
My shoulders slumped. I did need to feed but I wasn't comfortable hunting yet. Apparently her body language was answer enough.
"Don't worry my Bella," Demetri soothed, "I'll help you hunt."
We went to a rundown part of the city and listened closely. I could hear a girl calling for help. Demetri's gaze met mine and we followed the call for help. "Stay back," Demetri ordered softly. He got behind the man that was attacking the girl and knocked him unconscious. I stood still and watched in fascination.
"Run," he told the girl. She didn't wait around or ask questions.
"Come here Bella," Demetri invited and I joined him quickly. "Now bite gently and keep your mouth clamped over the wound."
I nervously took the man and bit, gently into his neck trying to keep the wound sealed.
I drank until he was dry. Surprisingly, my shirt was blood-free. Demetri disfigured the cut on the man's neck with his pocket knife and left him on the ground.
I kissed Demetri passionately and we continued back to the plane. Within the hour we were airborne, headed back to Volterra. My first mission was complete and I had fed without making a mess. I was proud of myself.
Demetri
We finished the mission and I was so proud of my mate. She was snuggled tightly into my side and I'd wrapped my arms around her on the plane.
We chatted with the elite guard and all was well.
When we arrived back at the castle everyone went their own way. Bella and I went to our rooms and made love through the night.
I decided to let Simpson keep command of Riley. It would free up his team to be able to get back to work at full steam.
Demetri was back in his office clearing away reports and paperwork when Felix came in.
"Hey Dem, Bella did a wonderful job on our mission."
Demetri's face broke into a wide smile. "Her handling of Maria was exceptional too."
"You're a lucky man."
"I know I am."
"I hope I find my mate someday."
"You will Felix, look how long it took me. And she was human."
"She makes an incredible immortal," Felix noted. At Demetri's growl, Felix put his hands up.
"I think of her as a kid sister now, man, you know that."
"When I'm rational Felix, I know that. These instincts are hard to control."
"So are you hoping for another visit from your little mate if you stay here late enough?" Felix eyed the clock, it was eight forty-five.
"I think you helped blow that for me by laughing at her. I expect it will be a while before she tries that again."
"Didn't mean to ruin things for you Dem."
"The look on her face was priceless, but if you could restrain yourself next time let's just say I'd appreciate it," Demetri admitted with a smile.
"I do think I'll call it a night. Want to meet in the recreation room in twenty? We haven't played video games in a while."
"You're on. Wonder if Bella likes video games." Felix said as he was leaving.
I found Bella in the recreation room chatting with Chelsea and Jane. It sounded like they were planning a shopping trip. He stopped and kissed her quickly as they made their plans. He made a mental note to get Bella her own credit card and telephone.
Turning on their Xbox one they picked a first-person shooter and got back to the business of having fun together.
We played together through the night and only called it quits when it was time to get back to work the next day. I half expected Bella to be frustrated with me but she was chatting with Jane and Alec now. I interrupted because it was time to go and Bella looked at me with adoring eyes and wrapped herself around me kissing me passionately. "Thank you for giving me time to talk with Jane, Chelsea and Alec. Me, Jane, and Chelsea are going to go shopping next week now that I can be out around humans."
"I'm glad you had fun."
"Did you and Felix have a good time?"
"We did. Let's head to the training room to get started for the day."
When we arrived Simpson was waiting for us. "Riley has attacked the receptionist and tried to escape. He's in the jails now. What would you like me to do?"
"Is the receptionist dead?" I clarified.
"No, we pulled him off in time, but she is turning now." Simpson admitted.
"You're in charge of the receptionist's change. Do a better job this time." Demetri growled. "Have someone frame her death so the authorities don't come looking here. I'll figure out what to do with Riley."
I walked down to the jails and to Riley's cell. I stood there till the neophyte met my eyes.
"You messed up big huh?" I said.
"Yeah, I messed up. I didn't mean to attack the receptionist. I know it's against the rules. I tried to run away, but I was caught. Since you were gone and couldn't decide what to do with me they brought me here." Riley replied.
"I'll give you another chance. We'll start with getting you fed, but I'm going to expect you to start controlling yourself, alright?"
"Okay, I'll try harder."
Demetri opened the cell door and led Riley through the twists and turns and stairways to the catacombs. Finally knowing where he was Riley started walking beside Demetri. After Riley had fed, he looked a little more in control, a little less wild.
"So here is how things are going to go from now on. If you aren't with "Alec, you'll be with Felix. You are not allowed to be on your own any more until you have more control of your blood-lust." Demetri ordered. If they are in court, you stand behind them, if they are sparring, you are sparring. If they're hanging out and playing video games or whatever you can too, alright?"
"Alright." Riley agreed.
"You feed four times a day for now. If you need more to keep control in between feedings you can have a few blood bags to get you by. Do you understand?"
"I do," Riley confirmed.
Last thing, any escape attempts will end in your death. Until you are a mature vampire and are able to control your own thirst, strength, and emotions, you are going to be part of us. If you try to run again it will be the last time. Any questions?"
"No."
"Ok, the guard is in the training room so let's go get you a shower after that we can join them."
"I can't do the shower alone yet."
"I know, lets go."
